26-year old Jelena Reshetko (184-C/F-86) had an amazing evening in the last round for league's best team Catz and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 26.She had a double-double of 38 points and 10 rebounds, while her team crushed Honka (#4, 13-8) with 22-point margin 87-65. The game was between two of the league's top four teams. It allowed Catz to consolidate first place in the Finnish SM-sarja. Catz has a very good season and are considered to have a run for the championship title. They improved their record to 19-2. Reshetko has many years of experience at Catz, through which he has constantly improved. Jelena Reshetko averages this season 17.0ppg and 10.4rpg.

Second best performed player last round was Minna Sten (189-F-87) of HoNsU. She is former international forward in her second season at HoNsU. In the last game Sten recorded impressive double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Of course she lead HoNsU to another comfortable win 74-59 over the lower-ranked BC Nokia (#10, 3-18) being unquestionably team leader. HoNsU's 6th position in the standings has not changed. Her team lost some distance to top teams. But 12-9 record is not bad and everything may still change. Sten is well-known at HoNsU and she already established her position as one of the team's leaders.

Third place about best performers goes to swingman Natalie Day (182-G/F-90) of HyPo (#11). Day scored 25 points and grabbed eleven rebounds (!!!). Despite Day's great performance HyPo lost 75-81 to the higher-ranked FoA (#3, 14-7). But her team cannot count on just a single player as she also needs help of the other teammates. HyPo can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have extremely bad season and 2-19 record places them at the very bottom of the standings. Too bad for Day she does not play for a better team. But maybe if she did, her season stats would not be that high. Day has a very solid season. In 11 games in Finland she scored 16.5ppg. She also has 9.2rpg and 1.1bpg.

The Player of the week is choosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

Sofia Pelander selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games - 2 days ago

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EUROBASKET CENTER

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Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Finns who are currently playing abroad. This week's number one is an international center Sofia Pelander (192-92). She could not help Norrkoping Dolphins (7-4) to beat Mark (7-3).
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Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Finns who are currently playing abroad.

#1. This week's number one is an international center Sofia Pelander (192-92, currently plays in Sweden). She could not help Norrkoping Dolphins (7-4) to beat Mark (7-3).
Pelander scored 9 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 19 minutes on the court.
But Norrkoping Dolphins lost 65-74 on the road to the lower-ranked (#4) Mark.
Pelander is currently fifth on the list of best rebounders with 10.2rpg.
She also averaged so far 10.7ppg, 2FGP: 47.8% and FT: 65.5% in 10 games she played so far.
Pelander is currently a member of the Finnish senior national team.

#2. Second place goes to an international point guard Meral Bedretdin (174-93, currently plays in Euroleague). She was not able to help Lattes Montpellier in their game against USK Praha (4-1) in the Euroleague. Bedretdin did not impress in that game on Wednesday.
She recorded only 2 points.
Lattes Montpellier was edged 61-59 in Praha by the higher-ranked USK Praha (#3).
It was Lattes Montpellier's third consecutive loss in a row.
It's Bedretdin's first season with the team.
This year Bedretdin averages: 1.0ppg.
She is in the roster of the Finnish senior national team.

#3. The Finnish player who performed third best last week abroad was former U16 international forward Petra Noponen (174-96, currently plays in Latvia). Noponen was not able to secure a victory for one of league's weakest teams KK Tallinna Ulikool (5-4) in their game against Rapla KK (5-3) in the Latvian NBL.
She scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 12 minutes.
KK Tallinna Ulikool lost 80-85 in Rapla to the higher-ranked (#3) Rapla KK.
The Regular Season already ended.
This year Noponen's overall stats are: 4.2ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 25.0% and FT: 28.6% in nine games.
She played for the Finnish U16 national team five years ago.

#4. Swingman Taru Madekivi (183-92, currently plays college basketball in the States) couldn't help the N.Florida in their game against the North Carolina State University in the NCAA. Madekivi's contribution was not very remarkable in Sunday's game.
She scored only 3 points. It was her first game for N.Florida this season.
The N.Florida was crushed 78-52 at home by the North Carolina State University.
Madekivi has been at the team for four years.
Madekivi used to play for the Finnish U16 national team
back in 2008.

Johnson's double-double lands her Player of the Week award - 3 days ago

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EUROBASKET NEWS

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23-year old guard Kiana Johnson (168-G-93) put on an amazing game in the last round for league's best team FoA and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 12. She got a double-double of 30 points and 11 assists, while her team crushed Helmi Basket (#9, 3-9) with 17-point margin 96-79. It allowed FoA to consolidate first place in the Finnish SM-sarja. FoA have a solid 10-2 record. In the team's last game Johnson had a remarkable 55.6% from 2-point range and got three t... [read more]

23-year old guard Kiana Johnson (168-G-93) put on an amazing game in the last round for league's best team FoA and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 12.She got a double-double of 30 points and 11 assists, while her team crushed Helmi Basket (#9, 3-9) with 17-point margin 96-79. It allowed FoA to consolidate first place in the Finnish SM-sarja. FoA have a solid 10-2 record. In the team's last game Johnson had a remarkable 55.6% from 2-point range and got three three-pointers out of 6 attempts. She turned to be FoA's top player in her first season with the team. Virginia Union University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Johnson is in league's top in points (4th best: 21.5ppg) and averages solid 2.3spg and 46.2% from behind 3-point line.

Second best performed player last round was Jacqueline Luna-Castro (188-F-93) of Kouvot. She is American forward in her first season at Kouvot. In the last game Luna-Castro recorded impressive double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds. Of course she led Kouvot to another comfortable win 74-61 over slightly higher-ranked Espoo Utd (#3, 8-4) being unquestionably team leader. It was definitely game of the week between two contenders to the title. Kouvot consolidated its place in top 4 of the standings. Her team's 6-6 record is not bad at all. Luna-Castro is a newcomer at Kouvot and quickly became one of team's most reliable players.

Third place about best performers goes to guard Bria Goss (178-G-92) of league's second-best HyPo. Goss scored 23 points and passed seven assists. She was a key player of HyPo, leading her team to a 86-70 easy win against #3 ranked Espoo Utd. HyPo is closer and closer to top of the standings. They will still need more victories. But 9-2 record is not that bad... Goss has a great season in Finland. After 11 games, she made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 18.6ppg (7th best) and assists with 4.2apg (7th best).

The Player of the week is chosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

SM-sarja round 12 most important game was a victory of Catz Lappeenranta over 5th ranked ViVe 75-54 on Saturday night. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 17-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 75-54. Catz Lappeenranta dominated on the defensive end, holding ViVe to just 6 points in second quarter. They made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Catz Lappeenranta forced 19 ViVe turnovers. It was a good game f... [read more]

SM-sarja round 12 most important game was a victory of Catz Lappeenranta over 5th ranked ViVe75-54 on Saturday night. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 17-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 75-54. Catz Lappeenranta dominated on the defensive end, holding ViVe to just 6 points in second quarter. They made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Catz Lappeenranta forced 19 ViVe turnovers. It was a good game for American Chandrea Jones (177-87, college: Syracuse, agency: LBM Management) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). International forward Camilla Gronberg (179-94) contributed with 17 points for the winners. American swingman Lele Hardy (182-88, college: Clemson, agency: Regeneracom Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for ViVe. Defending champion maintains fourth position with 6-6 record, which they share with Kouvot. ViVe at the other side dropped to the seventh place with seven games lost. Catz Lappeenranta is looking forward to face league's leader Forssan Alku at home in the next round and it may be the game of the week. ViVe will play against the league's second-placed HyPo (#2) in Hyvinkaa and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident. Very important is a road loss of third ranked Espoo Utd (8-4) against sixth ranked Kouvottaret (6-6) on Saturday night. Visiting Espoo Utd was defeated by Kouvottaret in Kouvot 74-61. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacqueline Luna-Castro (188-93, college: Charleston) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and Whitney Frazier who added 7 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Kouvottaret's coach Mika Hartonen allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Shenita Landry (188-87, college: Temple) with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Kouvottaret moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Catz. Espoo Utd at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the third position with four games lost. Kouvottaret will play against bottom-ranked Peli-Karhut (#10) in Kotka in the next round where they are favorite. Espoo Utd will play at home against Aanekosken (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track. An interesting game for HyPo (9-2) which played road game in Espoo against one of their biggest challengers Espoo Utd (8-4). Second ranked HyPo had an easy win 86-70. The winners were led by Taru Tuukkanen who scored that evening 25 points and 7 rebounds. HyPo's coach Miikka Sopanen used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 17 points and 9 rebounds by Shenita Landry did not help to save the game for Espoo Utd. HyPo maintains second position with 9-2 record behind leader FoA. Newly promoted Espoo Utd keeps the third place with four games lost. HyPo will meet at home ViVe (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Espoo Utd will play against Aanekosken (#6) and hope to secure a win. SM-sarja top team - Forssan Alku (10-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat ninth ranked Helmi Basket (3-9) 96-79. The best player for the winners was Kiana Johnson who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists and 7 steals (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!). Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Forssan Alku have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 10-2 record. Helmi Basket lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth place with nine games lost. Forssan Alku's next round opponent will be Catz Lappeenranta (#5) on the road. Helmi Basket will play against Espoo Team (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 12 PeKa was beaten by Espoo Team on the road 80-64.

SM-sarja top team - Forssan Alku (10-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat ninth ranked Helmi Basket (3-9) 96-79. The game was mostly controlled by Forssan Alku. Helmi Basket was better in fourth quarter 25-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Forssan Alku dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Helmi Basket's 38 and made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Forssan Alku forced 30 Helmi Basket turnovers and outrebounded them 44-25 including 16 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Kiana Johnson (168-93, college: Virginia Union) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists and 7 steals (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!). The other American import guard Ashley Clark (180-93, college: Tulsa) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was international center Helmi Tulonen (189-98) who recorded 19 points and 5 rebounds and international guard Lotta-Maj Lahtinen (173-99) added 15 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Forssan Alku have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 10-2 record. Helmi Basket lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth place with nine games lost. Forssan Alku's next round opponent will be Catz Lappeenranta (#5) on the road. Helmi Basket will play against Espoo Team (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:FoA: K.Johnson 30+5reb+11ast, J.Lane 18+8reb+1ast, A.Clark 18+11reb+1ast, T.Snow 16+5reb+4ast, A.Hellsten 7+2reb, J.Heinonen 3Helmi Basket: H.Tulonen 19+5reb, L.Lahtinen 15+4reb+3ast, S.Rajala 14+4reb, N.Augustin 11+2reb+6ast, E.Arike 7+2ast, S.Bejedi 5+1reb+1ast

An interesting game for HyPo (9-2) which played road game in Espoo against one of their biggest challengers Espoo Utd (8-4). Second ranked HyPo had an easy win 86-70. The guests trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 16 points. HyPo dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Espoo Utd's 24. The winners were led by the former international center Taru Tuukkanen (192-77, college: Xavier, agency: Regeneracom Sports) who scored that evening 25 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Bria Goss (178-92, college: Kentucky) supported her with 23 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. HyPo's coach Miikka Sopanen used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 17 points and 9 rebounds by American forward Shenita Landry (188-87, college: Temple) did not help to save the game for Espoo Utd. Guard Minna Mali (170-97) added 20 points and 6 rebounds. HyPo maintains second position with 9-2 record behind leader FoA. Newly promoted Espoo Utd keeps the third place with four games lost. HyPo will meet at home ViVe (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Espoo Utd will play against Aanekosken (#6) and hope to secure a win. Top scorers:HyPo: T.Tuukkanen 25+7reb+2ast, B.Goss 23+2reb+7ast, L.Saarinen 14+6reb, T.Lepisto 8+1reb+1ast, H.Salomaa 6+3reb, D.Faulk 5+1reb+2astEspoo Utd: M.Mali 20+6reb+3ast, S.Landry 17+9reb+3ast, R.Piipari 15+3reb+5ast, H.Korpivaara 9+5reb, E.Nurmi 5+3reb+3ast, K.Kuisma 4+1reb+1ast

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Espoo Utd (8-4) against sixth ranked Kouvottaret (6-6) on Saturday night. Visiting Espoo Utd was defeated by Kouvottaret in Kouvot 74-61. The game was mostly controlled by Kouvottaret. Espoo Utd was better in fourth quarter 20-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Espoo Utd 49-35 including 19 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacqueline Luna-Castro (188-93, college: Charleston) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Whitney Frazier (180-92, college: Louisiana Tech) who added 7 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Kouvottaret's coach Mika Hartonen allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Shenita Landry (188-87, college: Temple) with 21 points and 9 rebounds and guard Minna Mali (170-97) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Kouvottaret moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Catz. Espoo Utd at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the third position with four games lost. Kouvottaret will play against bottom-ranked Peli-Karhut (#10) in Kotka in the next round where they are favorite. Espoo Utd will play at home against Aanekosken (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track. Top scorers:Kouvot: J.Luna-Castro 24+15reb+4ast, B.Barton 13+4reb+1ast, U.Nuolikoski 8+2reb+1ast, I.Myllyoja 8+4reb+4ast, K.Lind 7+3reb, W.Frazier 7+13reb+1astEspoo Utd: S.Landry 21+9reb, M.Mali 12+5reb+1ast, K.Vaalavirta 7+5reb, E.Nurmi 7+3reb+3ast, R.Piipari 5+2reb+2ast, K.Kuisma 4+6reb

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Espoo Team and 8th ranked Peli-Karhut had identical 3-8 record. This time Espoo Team used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Kotka 80-64. The game was mostly controlled by Espoo Team. Peli-Karhut was better in fourth quarter 22-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 19-of-21 charity shots (90.5 percent) during the game. Espoo Team had a 34-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Tierra Henderson (178-87, college: UCLA) who scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. International swingman Lotta Aaltonen (180-85, college: Coker) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was international swingman Roosa Lehtoranta (176-97) who recorded 20 points and American forward Akilah Sims (178-94, college: IUPUI) added 13 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Espoo Team (4-8) moved-up to eighth place. Peli-Karhut at the other side dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost. Espoo Team's next round opponent will be Helmi Basket (#9) in Helsinki. Peli-Karhut will play at home against Kouvottaret and hope to win that game. Top scorers:Espoo Team: T.Henderson 25+7reb+4ast, L.Aaltonen 15+5reb+5ast, L.Vesiluoma 13+4reb+2ast, H.Sivula 11+1reb, L.Erakangas 7+8reb+2ast, M.Bailey 6+8reb+3astPeKa: R.Lehtoranta 20+3reb+2ast, A.Sims 13+7reb+2ast, S.Wahlgren 10+3reb+4ast, A.Lassiter 7+10reb+2ast, L.Richter 5+1reb+1ast, L.Lehtoranta 4+1reb+2ast

SM-sarja round 12 most important game was a victory of Catz Lappeenranta over 5th ranked ViVe75-54 on Saturday night. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 17-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 75-54. Catz Lappeenranta dominated on the defensive end, holding ViVe to just 6 points in second quarter. They made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Catz Lappeenranta forced 19 ViVe turnovers. It was a good game for American Chandrea Jones (177-87, college: Syracuse, agency: LBM Management) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). International forward Camilla Gronberg (179-94) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Catz Lappeenranta players scored in double figures. American swingman Lele Hardy (182-88, college: Clemson, agency: Regeneracom Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and her fellow American import forward Olivia Nash (185-94, college: Oakland) added 11 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for ViVe. Defending champion maintains fourth position with 6-6 record, which they share with Kouvot. ViVe at the other side dropped to the seventh place with seven games lost. Catz Lappeenranta is looking forward to face league's leader Forssan Alku at home in the next round and it may be the game of the week. ViVe will play against the league's second-placed HyPo (#2) in Hyvinkaa and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident. Top scorers:Catz: C.Jones 19+14reb+4ast, C.Gronberg 17+4reb, A.Massengale 13+2reb+1ast, E.Reshetko 11+5reb+4ast, S.Walker 4+6reb+3ast, H.Aijanen 3+6rebViVe: U.Latvala 13+3reb+1ast, O.Nash 11+12reb+1ast, L.Hardy 11+10reb+4ast, N.Jarvikangas 9+1ast, M.Pullins 4+4reb+1ast, A.Kujala 4+2reb+1ast

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